Fun, Fitness, and Fellowship in Southeastern Pennsylvania since 1984

Member club of the American Volkssport Association

About

Thank you for your interest in our Club and Volkssporting in the United States. I hope that this website will provide information that will get you interested in this sport that is ideally suited for families, groups, or individuals to enjoy walking for Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.

The Liberty Bell Wanderers is a Walking Club in the Philadelphia area. We are one of approximately 250 clubs in the U.S. that supports over 1800 self-guided walks. These walks are called volksmarches, or literally people walks. All walks are at least 10K (6.2 miles) and most walks offer a shorter option of 5K (3.1 miles). All the walks are non-competitive. The goal is to provide an opportunity to get out and walk not only for Fun, Fitness and Friendship but also to walk in many new and exciting areas near home or across the U.S. or the world. You walk at your own pace and can stop to look at scenery, take pictures, visit museums or shops, have a picnic, or rest whenever you feel like it. Walks are held in cities, towns, and in parks to provide a variety of walking opportunities to satisfy all walkers.

Types of Walks

The first type of walk is called a Traditional Event. This is a special walk put on by a club frequently coinciding with a local festival or event. You can start at your convenience, usually any time between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., but must finish by 3 or 4 p.m. Our Club sponsors about four of these type of walks a year.

The second type of walk is called a Year Round Event (YRE). It is a self-directed walk that a person may do any time it is convenient for them, usually 365 days a year. This type of walk is popular with people that travel, as it allows them to do walks all over the country as they travel. Our Club sponsors more than 20 YRE's. Most of these walks begin in Pennsylvania:

Biking Events

Group Walks

On Thursday mornings our club does a group walk where we car pool to do a YRE walk that is sponsored by one of our neighboring walking clubs. On Saturday mornings we usually do a group walk at one of our own YRE walks.

A up-to-date group walk schedule is maintained on a LIVE Calendar Of Events. Events, photos of walks, and relevant trail/walking news is posted on the club's Facebook page. While there you can always "Like Us" to be added to your news feed.

Additional Opportunities and Special Programs

Our Club typically organizes two 1- to 4-day bus trips annually where we travel to other states to complete a number of walks. Sightseeing and touring options are included.

There are clubs in every state, so there are plenty of opportunities to walk within a reasonable driving distance. Nearby walks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland include Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Hershey, York, Lititz, Bethlehem, Collegeville, Radnor, New Hope, Doylestown, Morrisville, Princeton, Cape May, Long Branch, Baltimore, Havre de Grace, Annapolis, Rehoboth Beach, Dover, and New Castle, just to mention a few, that are possible to do as a day trip. This encourages people to get out and see some of the beautiful areas of the East Coast instead of just walking in their own neighborhood.

Another way interest is stimulated for a walker is through a number of Special Programs. These programs are optional and involve buying a special book for the program. Some of the special programs are: All 50 States, All Capitals, Walk Cities A-Z (i.e. Bethlehem = B), Walk the 67 Pennsylvania Counties, and Walk across a State Border, to name a few.

Membership

Membership in the club is $10 per year for an individual or family. While membership is not required to participate in the walks, the fee helps us to sponsor and promote walks during the year and adds you to our email list and newsletter distribution. A application is included on our website. Print the form and mail to our membership secretary. While you may walk for free, most walkers walk for AVA Walk Credit (fee = $3 per walk, $2 with club discount coupon book) and record their Events and Distance in special logbooks. Additional information is also available on the AVA website www.AVA.org). If you purchase a new walker kit for $5 it includes your first Events and Distance walking books, coupons for three free walks, and a one-year Club membership. If desired, you can also order club-branded apparel online from Lands' End Business.

More information

Please review this material, read our latest newsletter and go to the AVA (American Volkssport Association) website at www.AVA.org to learn more about this exciting sport. Or download our Bylaws.